FOOTBALL: Taylor’s turn

Thursday

The four-year starting quarterback for the New Bern Bears owns nearly every offensive category in the school’s illustrious history.

Taylor, listed at 5-foot-11, had an option to play at just about any Division II program, and start almost immediately, from across the state. Scholarship offers from Division I programs just weren’t coming like people expected.

Then, N.C. State’s new head football coach Dave Doeren saw film of Taylor, and became interested.

Taylor, who led the Bears to the 4-A state championship on Nov. 30, signed with N.C. State as a preferred walk-on.

“We weighed his options,” New Bern football coach Bobby Curlings said. “Just about every Division II school around offered him.

We talked about going to a smaller school and playing right away, but it’s been his dream to play at a big school and play in the ACC.”

Doeren visited Taylor in New Bern — a rare move for a college coach to make a trip to see a walk-on.

East Carolina football coach Ruffin McNeil also paid Taylor a visit. Both coaches wanted Taylor to walk-on.

“(Josh) was about that far away from being offered by several big schools,” Curlings said. “Because of his height, people didn’t offer him a scholarship and tried to get him to walk-on, knowing that he would probably earn one.

“They wanted to get him on campus and work with him first hand before putting money on the table.”

Doeren told Taylor he expects him to come in and compete for a job, and earn a scholarship.

“I’m really going to go in there with a chip on my shoulder,” Taylor said. “I’m going to try and out-work somebody and show them I play with a lot of passion.”

The Wolfpack is looking for a quarterback to replace last year’s signal-caller Mike Glennon. Entering next season, Taylor will compete with Pete Thomas, Manny Stocker and Garrett Leatham for playing time.

Stocker threw two passes last season.

“They say that the quarterback spot is wide open,” Taylor said. “They have a transfer that’s sitting out, two scholarship players and me and another guy coming in.

“I know it will be unlikely to come in and start, but crazier things have happened.”

Taylor, whose brother Zack attends N.C. State, is not to prototypical pocket-passer. He has the speed to elude opposing defenses, while still being able to hurt teams with his throwing ability.

“What (Doeren) expects him to do is go in there and compete for a job,” Curlings said. “He told him point blank, with me standing there, ‘I’m not just getting you on the team to be a practice player. I want you to go in with a chip on your shoulder and compete for the job.

“They watched his film and saw how mobile he is. That’s the type of offense they want to get into.”

Taylor said he is willing to do what it takes to get on the field.

“I think I bring something different that the quarterbacks there don’t have,” Taylor said. “They are a little bigger, not as quick, and can throw the ball. It depends on what (N.C. State) wants to do on offense.”

Taylor attended an N.C. State practice last week and is going to the Spring Game on Saturday.

He is ready to don the Wolfpack uniform.

“I’m really excited about it,” Taylor said. “It’s gotten me back into a football mode. I’m ready to put the pads back on and go in there and compete, and try to out-work somebody and win a spot.”

As a senior, he passed for 2,300 yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,159 yards and 17 more scores.

“I am going continue to try and play within myself and not do too much, and I think that’s what’s made me a pretty successful quarterback,” said Taylor, who grew up as a North Carolina fan. “It’s a huge opportunity. It’s a good situation, and it’s at an ACC school that has a good history and great new coaching staff.”

Taylor led New Bern to the 4-A Eastern Regional Finals three years in a row. He culminated his high school career with a 39-38 win over Porter Ridge in the state championship game.

Taylor, the game’s Most Outstanding Player, drove the Bears 80 yards in less than six minutes to clinch the victory. The Bears’ scored the game-winning touchdown on a run by Jachin Watkins with less than 20 seconds remaining.

“(Josh) is a competitor and he is a winner,” Curlings said. “I think (N.C. State) will have a hard time not finding a place for him.

“He is going to learn the playbook faster than anybody and he will understand the adjustments that you need to make. His football IQ is through the roof.”

N.C. State officially begins practice on Aug. 1. It opens the season with four-consecutive home games, starting with Louisiana Tech on Aug. 31.

Adam Thompson can be reached at 252-635-5669 or at Adam.Thompson@newbernsj.com. Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam_matic.

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